Mold comes from moisture.

The soil would expand and contract different years depending on moisture levels.

I'm sure the smoke has penetrated the walls somehow.

You don't get much time before it starts to look bad and the whole time everything behind it is getting worse because moisture is still getting into the walls through cracks and gaps

If you see mold inside the house on the ceiling/wall you have a moisture problem.

They hold moisture which will destroy the brick and mortar, once cracks open they will grow inside them and make them far worse and there is also the rodent issue mentioned already.

The wood they use has been seasoned properly (below 15% moisture content, you can buy a $30 tool to measure it)3.)

Not sure what market you want to penetrate in FLA but I think it would be the same in some of the better markets there were prices are West coast like.Its hard for a rehabber to do one deal at a time and really make any money.. and or a living if your doing it as second income then I can see that.. if your average deal Is about 6 months cradle to grave and profits are say 20 to 50k for JV partner.. and you pull off 2 a year that's 40 to 100k for a full years worth of work... the key to doing a JV is getting some volume going then you bring value.. one at a time if that is what your saying your going to do I don't think brings much value except to newer to brand new folks trying to bust into the market.

It's less susceptible to moisture-related changes and paints up nicer than common wood species.

Hello,Our property located in Fort Worth,TX had a foundation repair after which it was recommended maintaining a constant level of moisture in the soil near and under the house (by placing a soaker hose on each side of the foundation no farther than 12'' from the edge of foundation to water DAILY during hot and dry months).Our property management company wrote a letter to our tenant explaining this, however I can not guarantee tenant complies.